'72 Sovereign: Crack in axle plate

[buddy24]

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[buddy24]

Hi. new to this form. I could us some advice. Found this crack in the grove where the axel bolts to. I'm thinking of just flux core weld a bead with my mig, on both the face and backside of the plate, bolt in the new axels and call it a day. can anyone suggest a better solution?




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[buddy24]

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[buddy24]

Found several broken welds where cross member and the main frame rail attach. Cant weld with plywood being so close to frame. Thinking of bolting angled bracket on both sides of the cross member then attach it back to the main rail.


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[buddy24]

Found one of my outriggers detached from the frame. Looks like the angle brackets and bolts is the way I'm going to go with. I will update later before it gets closed in



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[RM66caravel]

Buddy why can you not weld with plywood so close? We are talking structure here so cut the floor bolts on the outrigger and use a shield of scrap stock thin enough to get between the metal and floor and weld it for safety sake. A mig welder will generate a lot of heat but it will cool fast and better than gas weld.
Cliff

[buddy24]

Thanks cliff. Seems to me that outriggers purpose is mostly to keep out any thing that flies off the front axle wheel. I felt that it would be a lot simpler if I were to reattach the outrigger to the frame using the an angle bracket and zinc bolts or even weld the bracket to the main frame then bolt the outrigger onto that bracket.
The top welds that attach the cross members are the ones I'm not sure I could properly weld, I thought installing a welded bracket and attaching the thinner cross member just as the outrigger would be a stronger mechanical connection.


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[RM66caravel]

Bolted connections are prone to failure through vibration and the elements and yes I know that the bolted brackets could possibly last longer then the remaining welded points but that is just the quality of the weld. The bolted brackets will vibrate even if it is at a very small amount and that will damage the coatings and begin the corrosion or rusting process. Just saying I would weld what I could and bolt and coat the rest. Most importantly you need to try your idea and if it works we have a new source of expertise and that is the way we roll. If possible please take some pictures of the finished project then I will have a better idea of what your doing.
Cliff

[buddy24]

I decided to go weld the outrigger back on.
Didn't do so well with the crossmember, blown a hole through the thin metal. I'm thinking of welding the bracket to the main rail then bolt the crossmember to it.

Paul


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[buddy24]

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[buddy24]

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[buddy24]

Sorry. Haven't figured out the send button


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[perryg114]

You might be better off by putting a piece of angle across the area then welding that. I don't think your welds are going to hold. I would practice on some scrap and get your technique down first. You need bar metal with no paint or rust where the bead will be.

On the axle plate I would weld a piece of metal across it with the MIG. If you have .024 I would use that instead of .032. The thicker wire will tend to burn holes more easily.

Perry